Casting rod handle



KIRBY Nov. 10, 1959 K. R. GARNER CASTING ROD HANDLE Filed Jan. 9, 1956 Ut d. StatS Pa ent CASTING ROD HANDLE Kirby R. Garner, Raymore,Saskatchewan, Canada Application January 9, 1956, Serial No. 558,159

Claims. (CI. 43-22) My invention relates to new and useful improvementsin casting rod handles, the principal object and essence of my inventionbeing to provide acasting handle which is adapted to fit the hand of theoperator thereby giving a more controllable way of casting bait and thelike and, at the same time, permitting the casting hand to be well clearof the spinning reel crank. i

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterherewithin described in which the handle is'designed so that a longerand more direct cast is obtained with considerably less elfort than withconventional handles. Also, it enables the operator to place the variousparts of his hand in the most efiective positions for operation of thedevice.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterherewithin described wherein the rod and reel may be, removed rapidly asdesired.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which, in conjunction with thefirst-mentioned objectives, provides a firm hand grip and reel mountingfor trolling and, at the same time, relieves the muscular tensionnormally associated with continuous bait casting.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which includes a thumb stop upon theupper surface thereon, said thumb stop permitting the operator to pivotthe thumb freely with the base of the thumb resting on the stop therebyproviding extremely accurate and easy thumbing of the reel when casting.Also, due tothe fact that in the forward motion of the cast, thepressure of the thumb is upon'the thumb stop, rather than upon the reel,and no undue strain is put on the reels spindle. It will be appreciatedthat in the normal forward casting action, all of the thrust istransferred from the thumb to the reel, and. this thrust is transferredto the rod bymeans of the reels spindle. k x

Still another object of-my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described in which the reel is held firmly atbothends of the reel base plate,

the rear end being held by a roller with a concave face thatautomatically binds the rear end of the base plate in position as it ispushed under the roller. This provides for amuch more secure fasteningof the rear end ofthe base plate than the conventional type of notch,such-as usedonother handles. The front of the'base plate is fasteneddown with a lever andT bolt, as will hereinafter be described and this,together with the rear fastening means, prevents the reelbase fromworking loose when casting or landing fish.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterherewithin described which, due to the fact that ,;the handle fits thehand securely and due to the incorporation of the heel stop, reduces thedanger of losing rod and reel, Which'sometimes occurs when usingconventional types of handles, due to the handle slipping through thefingers when a suddent strike ,occurs. Also the heel stop is used tocheck the'forward cast atthe 2,911,750 Patented Nov. 10, 1 959.

ICC

desired instant, to assist in the back east and in general givinggreater stability to the 'use of the handle.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which is simple in construction,economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose forwhich it is designed. I 1

With the foregoing objects in view, and such other objects andadvantages as will become apparent to-those skilled in the art to whichthis invention relates as this specification proceeds, my inventionconsists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all ashereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device with the reel shown in phantomlines. 1

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially-along thelines 2'2 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the front reel holddown means per se.i I

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 44 ofFigure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 55 ofFigure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 66 ofFigure 1.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the difierent figures.

The conventional casting rod handle suffers from many disadvantages, theprincipal ones of which include a cir- ;cular cross sectional handlewhich tends to slide around in the users hand, together with musculartension experienced when the casting rod is being used continuously.

Furthermore, with a conventional casting reel, backlash is controlled bywhat is known as thumbing the reel. This consists of slowing up the reelas the plug or bait reaches the highest point in its arc and commencesto drop. This thumbing of the reel slows up the speed of the reelengendered by momentum in the reel spool and crank and prevents the samefrom over-running with the subsequent backlash occurring. Whencontinuous casting is taking place, and since the upper part of the handincluding the thumb is not in good contact'with the .handle whilethumbing the reel, the operators thumb tends to tire and the thumbing ofthe reel becomes mistim ed and careless.

These main disadvantages of conventional equipment are overcome by thisdevice, inasmuch as the handle is designedto fit the hand comfortablyand is so shaped as to prevent turning or twisting therein. Furthermore,the base of the thumb rests on the thumb stop and the thumb is pivotedfrom there, thereby relieving muscular tension and providing muchgreater control to the operation.

Due to the above-mentioned comfortable fit, the upper portion of thehand is in contact with the handle and the portion 1, a rear heelportion 2, and a front portion 3. It

is desirable, although not necessary, that the handle be made in twohalves, which are then screwed together and maintained in the unitaryposition by screws 4-strategically located throughout the design, asclearly illustrated in Figure 1. The principal. objective in makingthe-handle in two portions is so that it can be made hollow in the 3majority of places, thereby allowing a considerable reduction. of.weight contrasted to a handle formed in one solid piece, although thiscan be done by means of a casting if so desired.

Dealing first with the central section 1 of the handle, reference toFigures 1 and 5 will show that this central portion is substantiallymodifiedrectangular' when viewed in cross-section. and that it includeswhat I define as a palm receiving upper surface 5 adapted to be receivedin the cupped hand when in use. This upper surface is convex when viewedin side elevation and also convex when viewed in section. A lower,fingers receiving surface 6 is formed uponthe underside of the. centralportion, said surface being substantially straight when viewed. in sideelevation, but convex when viewed: in section, and when the handle isgrasped in the conventional manner, the three fingers of the hand wraparound this surface from the second joints of the fingers. The rear heelportion 2 includes a curved extension 7- flowing upwardly and rearwardlyfrom the rear end 8 of the palm receiving surface 5 and then curvingover as. at 9 into the rear surface 10 of the portion 2. A curvedextension 11 flows rearwardly and downwardly from the rear end 12 of thefingers receiving surface 6 and once again curves upwardly as at 13 tojoin the aforementioned rear curvedsurface 10. These curved surfaces andextremities form portions 14 and 15, which abut. against the heel of thehand when in use and prevent forward motion of the handle with relationto the hand without the necessity of the hand having to grip the centralsection too tightly. Also they provide more leverage for the hand overrod and reel. This is due to the fact that they project outwardly beyondthe surfaces 5 and 6 of the. central portion 1.

Extending forwardly from the front end 16 of the central portion is theaforementioned forward portion 3 and reference at this time should bemade to the longitudinal axis 17 of the forward portion, thelongitudinal axis 18 of the central portion and the axis 19 of the rearheel portion. It will be seen that the longitudinal axis 18 ofthecentral portion extends rearwardly'and downwardly with relation to thelongitudinal axis 17 of the forward-portion and it will also be observedthat the axis 19 of the rear heel portion is at an acute angle to thelongitudinal axis 18 of the central portion, although this axis 19 is anactual fact approximately seventy-five degrees in angle from the axis18. The relationship of these axes gives the desired balance to thehandle and associated rod and reel when in the casting position and addsto the comfort of the user.

Reference character 20 indicates a forwardly curving horn extendingupwardly and forwardly from the front end 21 of the aforementioned uppersurface 5- of the central portion 1. This horn 20, which is formedintegrally with the handle, acts as a thumb stop for the operator and 1sso designed that the base of the thumb rests. upon the horn 20 with thethumb extending forwardly therefrom so thatthe thumbv is held steady andhas free action of the first and second joints to thumb the reelaccurately and with comfort. What might betermed as diametricallybelow'the horn 20 is a downwardly and forwardly curved portion 22extending from the'front end 23. ofthe aforementioned fingers engagingsurface 6. This portion 22.is.provided.with a convex forward surface 23'and acts as a forefinger grip around'which the forefinger of theoperator can be curled in order to line up the hand and provide stillmore leverage for the hand, over the rod when casting.

The relationship of the thumb stop, the forefinger grip and the back endof the three-finger'grip enables the rearward motion of the cast'to bechecked as desired, by-- the pressure beingapplied at .theabove-mentioned places, then the forward thrust to. be applied-bythesame combination of; pressures by the hand at the sameplaces thusenabling more:forcelto be put into the cast and for a direct, easy andaccurate castto be made with the-thumb at- 'the correet and" easyposition'for thumbing the reel accurately.

The aforementioned forward or front section 3 of the handle is designedto carry the associated reel 24 and is provided with a fiat uppersurface 25 for this purpose. This surface I refer to in the accompanyingclaims as a reel base plate receiving upper surface, inasmuch as it isadapted to receive the reel base plate 26, which is conventional indesign. This base plate is normally concavoconvex in cross-section andmeans collectively designated 27 are provided at the rear of thissurface 25 to clamp the rear end 28 of the base plate-26. Further meanscollectively designated 29 are provided adjacent the front end 30 of thesurface 25 and are adapted to clamp the front end 31- of theaforementioned base plate 26;

The means collectively designated 27 comprise a roller 32 having aconcave perimeter 33, the concavity thereof approximating the contour ofthe baseplate 26. The roller is journalled for rotation upon pin 33extending between lugs 34 formed at the rear end of the front section 3and it will be notedthat the rear end 28 of the base plate 26 is adaptedto engage between the perimeter 33' of the roller 32' and'the surface 25of the front or forward section 3.

Means 29 to clamp the front end 31 of the base plate 26 include ahold-down lever 35 pivoted at the end 36 thereof to adjacent the forwardend 37 of the front portion- 3 and extending upwardly and rearwardly asillustrated'. The opposite end 38 of this lever is adapted to registeron the front end 31 of the base plate 26 and a tension bolt 39cooperates with the lever to clamp same downwardly upon the base plate26. This bolt 39 is providedwith a T head 40 adapted to engage the lever35 intermediate its ends thereof and in pivotal relationship. The bolt39 extends downwardly through the front or forward portion 3 of thehandle and the extremity 41 is adapted to be engaged by a knurled nut42.

From the foregoing; it will be appreciated that the rear hold down-means27 receives the end 28 of the base plate 26 inajamming action and thatthe front holddown means 29 thereupon clamp the reel firmly in positionupon the surface 25 and adjacent the horn 20, which terminates adjacentto the rear surface or side 43 of the reel.

It will beobserved that the front end 44 of the for- Wardportion 3,extends upwardly and is adapted to receive a'rod chuck 45. This rodchuck, which is adapted to receive a conventional fishing rod (notillustrated) is provided with a tapered shoulder 46 adapted to bereceived within a tapered aperture 46' formed within the frontportion44. This aperture terminates upon the surface 47 of the portion 44 withan aperture adapted to receive a recessed bolt 48 which, in conjunctionwith cupped washer 49, is adapted to clamp the chuck 45 into position.Finally, it will benoted that a pin 50 formed upon the chuck 45 engagesa small aperture 51 within the portion 44, thereby assuring thealignment of the chuck when placed into position so that the line guidesupon the rod are always in the correct position.

Finally; in order to assist in the prevention of the rod and handle fromslipping through the hand without the necessity'of'gripping the handletoo tightly and other advantages that are hereinafter described, 'I haveprovided handheel stop brackets 52, one upon each side of the portionsl'4'at the rear end of the handle, it being understood'thattwo areprovided so that the handle can be used by either left or right handedpersons.

Each ofthese stops consists of a securing portion 53 secured to theportion 14 by means of the screw 4 at that location and having aconfiguration similar to the contour of'the portion 53; The stop portion54 extends outwardly at right angles from the front 55 of the plate 53'and'engages the heel of the hand when the hand is holding the handle.

pp r or p surf e-e ds at a p int below the end of the curve designatedat 8, in otherwords the heel stop is longer than it is shown in thedrawing. The stop surface extends out at right angle to'the side platemore than is shown, and there are two screws holding it in place. Allthe corners and edges are rounded off.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that with the design of handlehereinbefore described, the rod, reel and handle automatically lines upwith the hand when making the forward cast, and the heel stop preventsthe heel of the hand'from'sliding downward at the end of the cast. Italso helps to check the cast at the desired instant, and enablesleverage to be applied in making the back east.

Furthermore, the design of the handle when grasped in the hand,automatically holds the reel in the upright position and preventsfatigue of the hand in so doing.

Finally, it will be realized that with this type of hand grip, the baseof the thumb stop and the lower part of the handle prevents the handfrom crawling or working towards the reel crank in continuous casting,thereby eliminating the danger of the reel crank from striking theknuckles of the operator. It will also be appreciated that the handlescan be made in varying sizes to suit different sized hands, but that theoverall design will be similar in each case.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same madewithin the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

l.- A casting rod handle adapted to receive an associated reel and rod,comprising in combination a central portion, a rear heel portion, and aforward portion, means on said forward portion adapted to clamp saidassociated reel in position thereon, and further means on said forwardportion adapted to receive said associated rod, said rear heel portionincluding an upper curved extension flowing from said central portionand a lower curved extension also flowing from said central portioninclining downwardly and rearwardly with relation to the longitudinalaxis of said front portion, the lower part of the axis of said rear heelportion being at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said centralportion, and a heel stop secured to and extending outwardly from theupper side of said rear heel portion, said heel stop comprising a platesecured to said upper side and a stop portion extending outwardly atright angles therefrom, the surface of said stop portion beingsubstantially parallel to the axis of said rear heel portion.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said means on said forwardportion adapted to clamp said associated reel in position, includes areel base plate receiving upper surface, rear base plate hold-down meansadjacent the rear end of said upper surface, and front base plateholddown means adjacent the front end of said upper surface, said rearbase plate hold-down means including a concave roller journalled forrotation upon said forward portion adjacent the rear end thereof andadapted to receive the rear end of said reel base plate between saidupper surface and the perimeter of said roller, the sides of saidcentral portion, said rear heel portion and said forward portion beingsubstantially planar.

3. The device according to claim 2 in which said front base platehold-down means includes a hold-down lever pivoted at one end thereof toa point adjacent the front end of said upper surface, the other end ofsaid lever being adapted to engage the said reel base plate, a tensionbolt pivotally secured by one end thereof to a point adjacent the centreof said lever and passing clear through said forward portion andclamping means cooperating with the other end of said tension bolt.

4. The device according to claim 1 in which said central portionincludes an upper palm receiving surface, said surface being convex whenviewed in side elevation and convex when viewed in cross-section, and alower, fingers receiving surface, convex when viewed in crosssection,said upper and lower curved extensions of said rear heel portion flowingfrom said upper and lower surfaces of said central portion respectively,a forwardly curving horn formed on and extending forwardly from thefront end of said upper surface, said horn terminating adjacent the rearside of said associated reel when the latter is in situ, and aforefinger grip curving downwardly and forwardly from the forward end'of said fingers engaging surface, the sides of said central'portion,said'rear heel portion and said forward portion being substantiallyplanar. 1 r

5. The device according to claim 2 in 'which said central portionincludes an upper palm receiving surface, said surface being convex whenviewed in side elevation and convex when viewed in cross-section, anda'lowe'r, fingers receiving surface, said surface being substantiallyconvex when viewed in cross-section, said upper and lower curvedextensions of said rear heel portion flowing from said upper and lowersurfaces of said central portion respectively, a forwardly curving hornformed on and extending forwardly from the front end of said uppersurface, said horn terminating adjacent the rear side of said associatedreel when the latter is in situ, and a forefinger grip curvingdownwardly and forwardly from the forward end of said fingers engagingsurface.

6. The device according to claim 3 in which said central portionincludes an upper palm receiving surface, said surface being convex whenviewed in side elevation and convex when viewed in cross-section, and alower, fingers receiving surface, said surface being substantiallyconvex when viewed in cross-section, said upper and lower curvedextensions of said rear heel portion flowing from said upper and lowersurfaces of said central portion respectively, a forwardly curving hornformed on and extending forwardly from the front end of said uppersurface, said horn terminating adjacent the rear side of said associatedreel when the latter is in situ, and a forefinger grip curvingdownwardly and forwardly from the forward end of said fingers engagingsurface.

7. The device according to claim 3 in which said means on said forwardportion adatped to receive said associated rod includes a rod chuck, thewalls of said chuck being tapered, the forward end of said forwardportion being apertured to receive said chuck, and bolt means to clampsaid chuck into said forward end.

8. A casting rod handle adapted to receive an associated reel and rod,comprising in combination a central portion, a rear heel portion, and aforward portion, means on said forward portion adapted to clamp saidassociated reel in position thereon, and further means on said forwardportion adapted to receive said associated rod, said rear heel portionincluding an upper curved extension flowing from said central portionand a lower curved extension also flowing from said central portioninclining downwardly and rearwardly with relation to the longitudinalaxis of said front portion, the axis of said rear heel portion being atan acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said central portion, saidmeans on said forward portion adapted to clamp said associated reel inposition including a reel base plate receiving upper surface, rear baseplate hold-down means adjacent the rear end of said upper surface, andfront base plate hold-down means adjacent the front end of said uppersurface, said rear base plate hold-down means including a concave rollerjournalled for rotation upon said forward portion adjacent the rear endthereof and adapted to receive the rear end of said reel base platebetween said upper surface and the perimeter of said roller, the sidesof said central portion, said rear heel portion and said forward portionbeing substantially planar, said front base plate hold-down meansincluding a hold-down lever pivoted at one end thereof to a pointadjacent the front end of said upper surface, the other end of saidlever being adapted to engage the said reel base plate, a tension boltpivotally secured by one end thereof to a point adjacent the centre ofsaid lever and passing clear through said forward portion and clampingmeans cooperating with the other end of said tension bolt.

3 9. The device according to claim 8 in which said central portionincludes an upper palm receiving surface, said surface being convex whenviewed in side elevation and convex when viewed in cross-section, and alower, fingers receiving surface, said surface being substantiallyconvex when viewed in cross-section, saidupper and lower curvedextensions of said rear heel portion flowing from said upper and lowersurfaces of said central portion respectively, a' forwardly curving hornformed on and extending forwardly from the front end of said uppersurface, said horn terminating adjacent the rear side of said associatedreel when the latter is in situ, and

a forefinger; grip curving downwardly and forwardly from the forward endof said fingers engaging surface.

10. The device according to claim"- 8 in which said means on saidforward portion adapted to receive said associated rod includesa rodchuck the walls of said chuck being tapered, the forward end of saidforward portion being apertured' toreceive said chuck, and boltmeanstoclamp said chuck into said forward end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

